Isle Royale Forums

I thought I would share my video footage of my first trip to Isle Royale. This trip I just wanted to get a "feel" of Isle Royale and finally say I have been there after dreaming of it for a few years prior to this. It was a very quick trip as my friend and I stayed overnight and that was about it. We were already renting a cabin on the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, MN so we decided to "squeeze" this overnight trip in. We decided that with a short trip we would like to take the VII around the whole island so we could at least see it all from a boat ride view at least so it would help plan future trips. We chose our one night to camp at Daisy Farm.

It was October and the season was winding down so the boat was not very full. We were told that October trips to the island can be pretty rough on the water and that the VII will not even go on the north side of the island if it was too rough. We were very fortunate that it was a perfect indian summer day. Sunny, cool and the big lake was pretty calm. We left Grand Portage about 8am and first went to Windigo and then went clockwise around the north side around Blake Point and then the south side going west to Daisy Farm. It is a very long boat ride this way but you get to see so much! I loved the north side of the island. It seems so rugged and remote. Going around Blake Point was eerie but fun. We could see Passage Island and I tried to get it on video but it was pretty shakey.

I woud like to add that I had a pretty basic video camera back then so the quality is not the greatest and in no way does it justice of actually being there in person. I apologize for the shakey parts as I am a much better still photographer than a video guy. I honestly had no intention of putting this on a web forum like this back in 2004. I tried to edit it the best I could. My friend Dave helped video tape too at times, like the hike back in the dark from Ojibway tower to Daisy Farm. Like I said it was only one night but I got to go around the whole island and see an incredible sunset from the ojibway tower which I HIGHLY recommend for those who have not seen a sunset from the tower. I also apologize if there is a curse word here or there. We like to humor ourselves at times in goofy ways.

So here we go, from the beginning from our cabin in Grand Marais, MN to the next morning's boat ride all the way to Daisy Farm and then back to Grand Portage. I will add clips throughout the week so it is not all at once.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/isle ... -2004.html

More of the ride and passing Rock of Ages Lighthouse.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/isle ... -ride.html

Approaching Washington Island and Windigo, but first a stop at the Sivertson fishing dock to unload supplies.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/isle ... 04_22.html

Windigo and passsing by the America shipwreck site.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/wind ... r2004.html

Thanks for posting the video, glad your ride over was not rough!!!!

Thanks John,
There are more video clips to come. Keep checking back.

North side, Gull Rocks and Little Todd Harbor area.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/nort ... -2004.html

North side, Todd Harbor area and passing Hawk Island as we get closer to McCargoe Cove

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/todd ... sland.html

Approaching and entering McCargoe Cove.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/mcca ... -2004.html

We make a stop at McCargoe Cove to drop off some hikers.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/mcca ... -dock.html

Here we are leaving McCargoe Cove and head east through the Amygdaloid Channel passing by the Ranger Cabin as a park ranger in his boat passes us.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/04/leav ... -2004.html

As we continue on the north side of the island I take some time to read the info on the walls of the VII.


http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/05/head ... point.html

I am roaming around the cabin some more and then about 3pm we see Blake Point. As we go around on this clear day we can see Passage Island. I hope to make a stop there on my next trip.

http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/05/blak ... sland.html

Moss13, keep it up! These are awesome. It's that time of year when I REALLY start itching to return, and the videos help relive those memories!

Thanks Tom! Glad you are enjoying this. My favorite was the sunset at Ojibway Tower. I hope to get that one later today.

Here we are making the turn around Blake Point and heading towards Rock Harbor.


http://tgnmac.blogspot.com/2009/05/goin ... t2004.html